Revised ASP Judging Criteria Unleashed for 2010 at North Narrabeen

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, January 12, 2010) – With a number of enhancements being activated on the ASP World Tour this season, the ASP Judging Criteria has been refined to reflect the progression of the sport.

“It’s paramount that the ASP Judging Criteria evolve to reflect the ever-progressing envelope of high-performance surfing,” Perry Hatchett, ASP Head Judge, said. “The revision of the criteria for 2010 is the result of discussions between our respected panel of judges as well as the world’s best surfers.”

The ASP Judging Criteria for 2010 and beyond is as follows:

Surfers must perform to the ASP Judging Key Concepts to maximize their scoring potential.

Judges analyze the following major concepts when scoring waves:
- Commitment and Degree of Difficulty
- Innovative and Progressive Maneuvers
- Combination of Major Maneuvers
- Variety of Maneuvers
- Speed, Power and Flow

It is important to note that the emphasis on certain concepts is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day.

Scale Utilized:
0.0 – 1.9 = Poor
2.0 – 2.9 = Fair
4.0 – 5.9 = Average
6.0 – 7.9 = Good
8.0 – 10.0 = Excellent

“The last part of the revised ASP Judging Criteria is crucial,” Hatchett said. “Surfers and fans need to understand that certain aspects of surfing score higher depending on the location and the conditions at that location. For example, the same approach to surfing in classic Trestles conditions will not score the same when applied to classic Pipeline conditions – classic Trestles conditions call for more Innovative and Progressive Maneuvers whereas classic Pipeline conditions call for more Commitment and Degree of Difficulty.”

The aforementioned criteria will be applied across the board at ASP World Tour, ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) and ASP Pro Junior event.

In addition to the refinements being made for the shortboard circuits, the ASP World Longboard Tour will also enjoy the following revised criteria:

Surfers must perform to the ASP Judging Key Concepts to maximize their scoring potential.

Judges analyze the following major concepts when scoring waves:
- Commitment and Degree of Difficulty
- Combination of Traditional and Modern Maneuvers
- Innovative and Progressive Maneuvers
- Combination of Major Maneuvers
- Variety of Maneuvers
- Speed, Power and Flow

Judges will utilize a 75-25% ratio being that surfers will only ever get a maximum of 75% (7.5pts) of the scale for surfing only one aspect of Modern or Traditional, up to an additional 25% (2.5pts) can be added when the two aspects are combined. Incomplete maneuvers will not be rewarded.

It is important to note that the emphasis on certain concepts is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day.

Scale Utilized:
0.0 – 1.9 = Poor
2.0 – 2.9 = Fair
4.0 – 5.9 = Average
6.0 – 7.9 = Good
8.0 – 10.0 = Excellent

The revised ASP Longboard Judging Criteria will be applied at ASP World Longboard Tour and ASP Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) events in 2010 and beyond.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

2010 ASP WORLD TOUR SCHEDULE:
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, February 27 – March 10, 2010
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, March 30 – April 10, 2010
Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, April 21 – April 30, 2010
Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, July 15 – 25, 2010
Billabong Pro Teahupoo, August 23 – September 3, 2010
Hurley Pro Trestles, September 12 – 21, 2010
Quiksilver Pro France, September 25 – October 5, 2010
Rip Curl Pro Portugal, October 7 – 18, 2010
Rip Curl Pro Search, October 30 – November 10, 2010
Billabong Pipe Masters, December 8 – 20, 2010

2010 ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR SCHEDULE:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast, February 27 – March 10, 2010
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, March 30 – April 5, 2010
Taranaki Women’s Surf Festival, April 11 – 16, 2010
Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, April 21 – 26, 2010
Movistar Peru Classic pres. by Rip Curl, TBA
Rip Curl Pro Portugal, October 7 – 11, 2010
Rip Curl Pro Search, October 30 – November 4, 2010
Gidget Pro Sunset Beach, November 24 – December 6, 2010
Billabong Pro Maui (Tentative), December 8 – 20, 2010

2010 ASP WORLD JUNIOR TOUR SCHEDULE:
2009 Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, January 9 – 17, 2010
Oakley ASP World Junior Bali, October 2 – 13, 2010
2010 Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, January 8 – 16, 2011

2010 ASP WORLD LONGBOARD SCHEDULE:
- Three Men’s Events TO BE CONFIRMED (All Oxbow ASP World Longboard Events)
Roxy ASP Women’s World Championships, July 10 – 14, 2010